Wapiti Fire closes SH-21 near Stanley

smoke from the Wapiti Fire near Stanley

State Highway 21 is now indefinitely closed in both directions from Warm Springs Creek to Stanley due to the Wapiti Fire.  

SH-21 between Boise and Lowman closed Tuesday, but due to fire growth the closure has been extended to Warm Springs. The highway is closed between milepost 92 and milepost 130. 

There is no public access to Grandjean at this time, and traffic to and from Stanley will need to use State Highway 75 as an alternate route. There is no estimated reopening time, but travelers should continue to check Idaho 511 for updates. 

Here are some additional safety tips for traveling in areas with wildfires: 

  • Power outages are common near wildfires. Treat non-working traffic signals as four-way stops. 
  • Bring additional food and water in case your trip is delayed. 
  • Driving in smoke is similar to driving in heavy fog. Slow down, maintain a steady pace, and stay alert. 
  • Turn on headlights when driving in smoky areas. 
  • The safest place to wait for a highway to reopen is at home.  Avoid traveling to closure points to wait, as closures could last for days. 

Fire information can be found on the National Interagency Fire Center’s website.